Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/114608
m e n ' s b a s k e t b a l l purdue closes regular season on a high note BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com Purdue out-rebounded the Big Ten's top rebounding team; made 7-of-15 threes and 75 PURDUE 89, percent of its 24 foul shots; and MINNESOTA 73 turned the ball over only eight March 9 • Mackey Arena times while turning Minnesota's If Purdue's senior day win 13 into 22 points. over Minnesota is any indication, "It's a recipe for good basketthe Boilermakers close the regular ball," Coach Matt Painter said. season playing their best basketball of the season. FLASH FORWARD Game: Nebraska Location: United Center When: 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday Notables: Purdue beat Nebraska last season 79-61 in the Cornhuskers' first-ever Big Ten Tournament game. … The Boilermakers won Jan. 16 in Lincoln behind 18 points from Terone Johnson and 14 points, eight rebounds and six blocks from A.J. Hammons. … The Cornhuskers finished 5-13 in the conference, including wins over NCAA Tournament hopefuls Iowa and Minnesota. … Nebraska's the lowest-scoring team in the Big Ten, averaging fewer than 59 points. … Tim Miles' team is second-worst, behind only Northwestern, in rebounding margin, which Purdue exploited in the first meeting to the tune of a 52-39 edge. … Dylan Talley averages a team-best 14.2 points. … In the first meeting, Nebraska didn't have leading rebounder Brandon Ubel. The 6-foot-10 senior has long since returned from his elbow injury. … If Purdue beats Nebraska, it'll face Ohio State Friday, meaning it would open the Big Ten Tournament playing two of its single-play opponents from the regular season. Tom Campbell Freshman Rapheal Davis scored 18 points against Minnesota on senior day. Just the sort Purdue's been playing at the end of this turbulent season. D.J. Byrd punctuated Purdue's senior day win with 18 points, one of five double-digit scorers for the home team. Rapheal Davis also scored 18, while classmates Ronnie Johnson and A.J. Hammons chipped in 14 each and Terone Johnson 12. Minnesota shot merely 19 percent in the first half as the Boilermakers jumped out to a 20-5 lead. The Golden Gophers' secondhalf three-point barrage was answered by Purdue, which never allowed its visitor to get any closer than seven. It was an emphatic finish for Purdue, which endured so many struggles this season. "I've always said there's two things that go into a basketball game: Putting yourself in position to win it, and then winning it. You can't do the second part unless you do the first part," Painter said. "At times, we weren't doing the first part, and I didn't like our fight. We had games this year where were gave in and we didn't continue to fight. "I really feel that this team here is the team you wanted to see in December and January and we didn't (do it). It's taken too long get to this point, but I'm glad we're at this point." Key player For sentimentality reasons, you have to go with Byrd, who was outstanding on senior day, with 18 on just eight shots, seven rebounds and five assists. But Davis and Hammons were just as crucial, Hammons in particular given Sandi Marcius' bad ankle. Key stretch After Purdue opened a quick 21-point lead, Minnesota mounted a first-half run to get within 11 with two minutes left. But Byrd and Terone Johnson answered with back-to-back threes, providing the cushion that helped Purdue weather Minnesota's shooting onslaught to open the second half. Key stat These two go hand in hand. Purdue shot a high percentage on its 15 threes, but also generated 42 points in the paint in its highestscoring game of the season. That indicates that Purdue was getting in the lane and benefiting from Hammons' presence in the post. No. 7 MICHIGAN 80, PURDUE 75 March 6 • Mackey Arena Purdue led Michigan by 12 in the second half, standing on the verge of its second upset win over a Big Ten power in as many tries. GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 25 • 16